Counselor I

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health•Hampstead, NH

17h

About The Position

The Counselor at Hampstead establishes therapeutic relationships with assigned patients and helps maintain the therapeutic environment in the Psychiatric Unit. The role provides basic-to-complex patient care services, with independence increasing as experience and skills develop. The position is on the night shift, 40 hours per week, requires every-other-weekend work, and reports to the Child Services Unit. The Counselor creates and implements therapeutic plans, supports patients in progressing toward their goals, conducts group sessions and patient education, and facilitates daily therapeutic activity groups. The role assists patients with daily living, maintains a safe and therapeutic milieu, communicates with other treatment staff, and keeps accurate medical records and required documentation. The Counselor also participates in safety training and receives ongoing mentoring, guidance, and supervision.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university with a major in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral science area.
Three years of experience in social work, clinical mental health counseling, or a related field in a psychiatric inpatient or clinical environment.
Each additional year of approved formal education may substitute for one year of required work experience.
Each additional year of approved work experience may substitute for one year of required formal education.

Nice To Haves

License or eligibility for licensure through reciprocity as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in New Hampshire.
Experience providing clinical services within the mental health service delivery system.
Familiarity with computer applications such as email, basic word processing, and database input.

Responsibilities

Create and implement therapeutic plans and relationships with assigned patients, ensuring treatment plans are followed so patients can progress toward their goals.
Provide patient-centered, resiliency- and recovery-oriented care focused primarily on patients’ health and safety.
Conduct patient group sessions and education that reflect treatment plans and goals; facilitate daily therapeutic activity groups and follow up with appropriate clinical or support staff.
Assist patients with daily living and maintain a safe, therapeutic milieu and orderly work environment.
Participate in hospital safety training programs and meet with a Senior Counselor and Supervisor for ongoing mentoring, guidance, and supervision.
Use interventions consistent with current research and relevant developmental, cultural, and disability-specific needs.
Maintain current knowledge in psychiatric care and apply a broad range of established therapeutic techniques, with work becoming more complex and independent as knowledge, training, and experience increase.
Consult and communicate with professional treatment staff about treatment interventions, psychosocial and environmental influences, community resources, and transition-to-community needs.
Update and maintain accurate medical records and other documentation in accordance with applicable Joint Commission, State Licensing, and Medicare standards.
Follow program and departmental policies and procedures and discipline-specific standards for psychosocial assessments, progress notes, treatment plans, and other required forms and reports.
Promote a non-punitive culture of patient safety and report significant events or concerns to the Senior Counselor, Charge Nurse, or Milieu Supervisor.